Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-04-28

Tie thirty days given by law had
passed. and the township trustees
"allOwed" to build fence in few
days. They had watched things from,
a distance, and knew how desperate
the old man was.
Ahou, this time Dick and Bess hap
pered to be sitting on the porch in the
harvest moonlight. Uncle Joe was out
at TIE fence. probably. Neither Of the
young people referred to him.
As they sat thus Dick turned his eyes
toward the Devils Lane. What was it
he saw? He sprang to his feet. Away
down at the farther end of the lane il
cloud of smoke cur!ad l;;zily up. As
he watched. the breeze freshened a lit
tie, and lurid glare leaped angriy
skyward. sweeping the fire directly
down the lane. Some one had fired
the underground which crowded the
lane!
1t was time of the year when every
thing was as dry as finder. There had
been no rain for weeks. and fire like
that was a thing 10 be dreaded.
.'Where is your father. Bess?"
The girl now rose quickly, and with
startled gaze looked towards the lane.
.'He must be down yonder. Dick.
I'm afraid-you don't suppose"
The bush is on fire. If your father
is there he is in danger. will GO and
see if can find him."
Before the words were fairly said,
Dick had cleared the fence surrounding
the farm house, and was running
swiftly toward the fire, Bess following
us fast as she could.
How the flames did sweep through
that thicket! 1t seemed to lick the
cracking bushes up like leaves. If her
father was there-nO; she couldn't
bear to think what might be his fate.
The old man was tired with his watch
ing. He might have fallen asleep
down there us he had so often before.
Dick soon reached the lane and plunged
into the bushes as near the fire as he
dared. If Uncle Joe was behind him
then nothing short of miracle could
save him. If in front, then he possibly
nj GIT be rescued from death in the
flames.
Don't come in here, Bess," shcEted
Dick, as he saw the girl about to leap
into the thick growth Ct bushes near
him. go farther down and look along
the fence"
Poor Bess obeyed silently. How like
a very giant he seemed to her as he
tramped through the briars. mud and
bushes, tearing his face and hands ter
ribly, hunting for the willful old nan
who had wronged him so! How there
was his right arm powerless! Did Bess
know who had fired the shot that had
made it so? If she did, she dutifully
kept the secret.
On and on swept the flames. chasing
Dick like mad demons. The lower end
of the lane was in sight. That would
end the search. Where was the old
man? Had he missed him? Could it
be he had indeed persisted? Dicks
heart had weeks ago softened towards
the old man. 1t was useless quarrel.
He was ashamed of his part in it. II
he had known how Uncle Joe felt about
it, he never would have said a word
about the miserable lane. Suddenly a
low cry fell on Dicks ear. 1t came
from the rear, where the fire was rag
ing fierccly. Dick knew Uncle Joe had
been found.
Could he reach him before it would
be too late? God helping him he would
try. Nerving himself for the ordeal.
he rushed back through the smoke to-
ward the spot whence the cry proceed
ed. Again the call came, this time full /
of horror.
Plunging on. his feet hot, his breath
choked, and his clothing on fire in .
places, the young man heroically made
his way.
When almost ready to drop he found
Uncle Joe staggering blindly toward
the place. He was fearfully burned and
almost exhausted. Selling him with
his left arm, Dick bore him out into the
meadow. and placing him on the
ground, rolled him over and over till
the flames which were eating INTO his
flesh were put out. Then he fell to the
ground himself unconscious.
BY this time Bess had reached there.
Quickly she wrapped Dick in her own
garments. deadening the fire, and he
was saved!
Two months after that Dick and
Uncle Joe, Scared and still weak.
staggered toward each other and
clapped hands.
1--WE been fool, or crazy, Dick"'
said Uncle Joe. in choked voice. Tin
ashamed of myself. Can You forgive
me?'
Don't take all the blame, Uncle
Joe.' was the young mans reply.
ave done wrong myself. I'm sorry;
let's forget it, and build fence worthy
the name"
That was all that was said about the